New committee to find ways to strengthen NS

SINGAPORE — As Singaporeans become more educated — and as more Permanent Residents serve National Service — the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has to find ways to use National Servicemen’s abilities “more effectively” so that they will be more committed to serve and contribute, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said yesterday.

To that end, a committee will be convened to “strengthen national service”, which Dr Ng will personally oversee as chair.

Compared to 45 years ago when conscription started, “Singapore, the people, the values and aspirations are not the same”, Dr Ng said.

He added: “We have to respond to these changes and ensure that the commitment of a new generation of NSmen remains strong. At the same time, we must find ways to use their abilities more effectively in the SAF.”

Speaking at the Ministry of Defence’s (MINDEF) Committee of Supply debate, Dr Ng’s comments come against the backdrop of lively public debate recently on a myriad of issues thrown up by the influx of foreigners in the last few years, including on the emotive topic of NS.

In particular, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Member of Parliament Hri Kumar Nair’s proposal last month to impose a National Defence Duty on PRs and foreigners who do not serve NS had sparked spirited discussions.

Alluding to the public debate stirred up by Mr Hri Kumar’s suggestion, Dr Ng reiterated that consensus on NS being “very much a duty and honour for all who would make Singapore our home” was more important than an agreement on different views of how to better address those who renounce their PR.

“All of us recognise that if we do not defend Singapore ourselves, no one else will. Each of us has to uphold our duty to serve NS,” he said.

“But I also heed your calls that we can do more to match the abilities of our NSmen, increase their engagement and commitment, to recognise their efforts, and find ways to help them fulfil their NS duties, even on a daily basis,” added Dr Ng, who also pledged to “remedy” complaints highlighted by some MPs about discrimination at the workplace against NSmen.

The committee will have two working groups: Senior Minister of State (Defence) Chan Chun Sing will lead studies on how to provide better support for NSmen, including tapping their abilities to help them fulfil their NS duties, as well as find ways to draw more support from various groups, such as families, employers and the broader community.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Defence) Maliki Osman, meanwhile, will head the other working group on “recognition and benefits for NS”.

The committee would complete its work within one year. It would include “members with a good appreciation of the issues so as to provide good, workable and affordable ideas to strengthen NS”, Dr Ng said.

He added: “If our NSmen feel that their abilities are being put to the best of use and if they believe in what they are fighting for, it will engender greater commitment and contributions in building a stronger SAF.”

He cited Finland’s conscription system where, despite being given a say in how they want to serve, many NSmen choose more demanding roles or vocations that lengthen their service period.

“You choose how high you want to go and the springboard will be provided. Not all will jump gracefully, the dives won’t be spectacular for some, but this approach encourages NSmen to go higher and contribute more,” Dr Ng said.

And while Singapore is different from Finland — in terms of culture, security risks, needs and people — maximising the potential and talents of NSmen and allowing them to play a greater role “surely must be the right direction”, he added.

Dr Ng reiterated that the security situation in the region can turn unpredictably as the South China Sea territorial disputes and, more recently, the intrusions in Sabah showed.

“For the SAF, we have to ensure that, above all, our NSmen who form our ‘backbone’ are capable and have the resolve to defend Singapore, if ever similar circumstances fall upon us,” said Dr Ng. “This is why we must keep NS strong.”

On training and operational safety, Dr Ng said MINDEF will elevate the role of a military-wide safety inspectorate — plans for which were announced last year — to a Safety and Systems Review Directorate.

Dr Ng said: “As a Directorate, it will report directly to the Permanent Secretary of Defence and the Chief of Defence Force.

“The Directorate will set up external review panels, which will submit recommendations to the Minister for Defence.”

The first external review panel — which would include experts and professionals from outside the SAF — would be on training safety.

“Rather than ad-hoc committees formed after incidents occur, this standing panel will provide oversight and direction for the longer term,” he said.